England number one Jordan Pickford is in talks to extend his Everton contract.
While there is uncertainty about who could own the Merseyside club before the start of this season, there is agreement at board and management level that their goalkeeper’s terms should be refreshed.
It will be a timely reward for the 28-year-old who was crucial for the Merseyside club in fending off the threat of relegation in May.
Pickford’s current Goodison deal runs through 2024 and Everton are looking to tie him up for the peak years of his career.
The keeper has been in the shape of his life for the past few months, reaffirming his status as England’s first-choice keeper en route to a World Cup season.
Some of his performances at last season’s climax were among his best.
A particularly memorable save from Cesar Azpilicuata in Everton’s crucial win over Chelsea proved a turning point in Everton’s survival instinct.
Pickford’s position in England has been consistently questioned. Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Newcastle United’s new signing Nick Pope have put a strain on Pickford’s international position.
But the Everton man has responded and a deal will be a statement that Pickford is among the Goodison assets that will not be sold this summer, regardless of the club’s financial situation.
Pickford told Telegraph Sport in May that his consistency was largely due to the use of a psychologist, which allowed him to remove the avoidable mistakes.
He also admitted that he is a more mature footballer these days.
“You have to have a radar of what you’re doing. You’re England’s number one, you have extra responsibilities,” he said.
“You want to have that fun, but it has to be at the right time to be a footballer.
“You learn from your past mistakes, maybe I got involved in things a few years ago when I was a little younger, but you mature as you get older. And you learn.”